axle 3500 vs 5000

[mbbarnhill2]

Hello,

As I am correcting some rust issues and replacing some out-riggers I will change out my axles too. I mean they are 40+ years old. It is a 1976 25' Land Yacht. I have different suppliers saying that the axles should be, 3500 and 5000 lbs. So my question is has anyone put in the Dexter 5000 lbs axles on a 25' AS? Did you have any issues with (rivet shear) or anything? Also some suppliers say to add the shocks and others say they are not needed? Dexter says they only put them on if requested for AS units and they are not needed based on the design.

Any thoughts on this long but needed question(s)?

Thanks,

[AlinCal]

Why would you want to put 5k axles on?
My later and heavier 25 came with 3200 lb and I replaced with new 3500 lb
Having 10k worth of axle capacity on a trailer that might gross at 5 or 6 k would make it ride like brick I would think

[mbbarnhill2]

I guess that's my question, as the GWR is 5800 but the supplies are saying 5000 lbs axles. So I am just checking out others thoughts and if anyone has done this.

Thanks

[mbbarnhill2]

also I just got a book and it says the axles are 2600??? Anyway just checking this out.

[AlinCal]

There should be an ID tag on your axle with rating info.
Mine was hard to find but on forward face of axle beam

[AlinCal]

2600 sounds right for 5800 gross.
2600 + 2600 + 600 tongue = 5800

[slowmover]

My full frame 35' Silver Streak only uses 4,500-lb axles. And could have been 4,000

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by mbbarnhill2

Hello,

As I am correcting some rust issues and replacing some out-riggers I will change out my axles too. I mean they are 40+ years old. It is a 1976 25' Land Yacht. I have different suppliers saying that the axles should be, 3500 and 5000 lbs. So my question is has anyone put in the Dexter 5000 lbs axles on a 25' AS? Did you have any issues with (rivet shear) or anything? Also some suppliers say to add the shocks and others say they are not needed? Dexter says they only put them on if requested for AS units and they are not needed based on the design.

Any thoughts on this long but needed question(s)?

Thanks,

all you need is ......3500.......5000 would be overkill

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

all you need is ......3500.......5000 would be overkill

mbbarnhill2

I agree. I just replaced my axles in my 66 Tradewind. My original axles were either 2600 or 2800 lbs. My loaded axle weight is only 2100 lbs. I ordered 3500 Lb axles reduced to a design loading of 2500 lbs. Please note that the Dexter 3500 Lb axles require a 5 lug wheel, so that you will need to buy new wheels. For more details you can look at my thread- Dan’s 66 Tradewind Improvements.

Dan

[AlbertaBound]

The heavier axles would make the trailer ride very rough. I have a utility trailer with 2-6000# axles and it will make you sick to your stomach pulling it empty because it bounces so much. Put a load on it and it pulls like a dream.